Over decades of royal engagements, Prince Philip has gained a reputation and sometimes attracted controversy and criticism for his particular sense of humour and outspoken, sometimes non-PC comments.

Among the comments seized on by the media were:

• Telling students in China: "If you stay here much longer, you'll all be slitty-eyed".
•  "It looks like a tart's bedroom." (on seeing plans for the Duke and Duchess of York's house at Sunninghill Park in 1988)
• Asking Tom Jones, after his Royal Variety Performance in 1969: "What do you gargle with, pebbles?" .
• We didn't have counsellors rushing around every time somebody let off a gun, asking 'Are you all right? Are you sure you don't have a ghastly problem?' You just got on with it." (1995)

Pauline Simpson writes:The Queen and Prince Philip have done a good job for this country. It is time for Prince Charles to take over when Prince Philip retires and help the Queen with her royal duties. 

Ryan Ashton, Darlington tells us:What an amazing man. He has worked all his live and is retiring at age 96. Brilliant. Never met anyone in the Royal Family but I have taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. I wish him a happy retirement and hope he enjoys it. Personally I don't think he will enjoy having all the time and I feel he will be back within a year.

Melanie Quinn, Wakefield comments:A well-deserved rest to enjoy doing the things he would like. Most people would have stopped working well before this age. We have to say a big thank you for the service he has provided to the country and the support he has given the Queen over the years.

Paul, Bromsgrove says:Put your feet up your Royal Highness! Wow, still working at 95. What an amazing inspiring example of dedication to us all. Enjoy your retirement sir, you've thoroughly earned it!

Early this morning rumours began to circulate on social media about a so-called "emergency meeting" which had been called at Buckingham Palace. 

Several unverified accounts shared reports that Prince Philip had died, as a screengrab from this Huffington Post reporter shows: 

Journalists in the UK and abroad sought to reassure Twitter users: 

There was also speculation that the Queen might abdicate or step down from certain responsibilities.

But as the BBC royal editor Nicholas Witchell put it, the early morning flutter showed social media to be "an utterly unreliable source of information". 

Since the Duke of Edinburgh's Award was launched in 1956, millions of young people have taken part in the scheme.

Stanislaw Biber, 21, remembers meeting Prince Philip in 2015 after receiving a gold award.

"The Duke approached us and asked some questions," he told the BBC.

"At some point he asked us whether we all did the walking expedition.

"'No, Sir' I said. 'I did my expedition in the canoes.

"He asked me some questions about that, about where I have been and about the experience.

"He concluded everything, saying: 'Well you see, you have all had blisters on your feet after your expeditions, whereas this young man had blisters on his bottom.'

"That was my only time I met a member of the Royal Family, but how memorable!"

The Sun newspaper seems to have mistakenly published a story online saying that Prince Philip had died earlier today. 

The story, headlined: “Prince Philip dead at 95, how did the Duke of Edinburgh die, etc etc“, was quickly taken down.

It came as speculation mounted overnight about rumours that senior royal staff had been summoned to an emergency meeting at Buckingham Palace.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "HRH the Duke of Edinburgh has dedicated his life to public service and the steadfast support he has given to the Queen throughout her reign is hugely admirable. 

"His charity work, in particular his role as chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, has benefited millions of young people across Scotland. 

"He also gave over 50 years of service to Edinburgh University during his time as chancellor there. 

"He has always served with enthusiasm and a healthy sense of humour. I have always thoroughly enjoyed any time that I have spent in his company. 

"I know that, even as he steps back from public life, the duke will continue to be a huge support to the Queen. I wish him all the very best for a happy and peaceful retirement." 

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Well, perhaps 30 years later than most people retire, the Duke of Edinburgh is announcing that that is what he is intending to do, and I think it is a moment to celebrate and take stock of the enormous achievements that he has made in his life so far, the enormous service he has given to his country, the service to countless charities he has supported, plus while being such a rock for Her Majesty the Queen. 

 "I think it is a moment for us to be genuinely reflective of a great life well-lived and great achievements." 

Responding to the news of Prince Philip's retirement, UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall said: "Today we should honour the life of service to our Queen and nation by Prince Philip. 

"For over 60 years he has been a dedicated public servant and deserves our great thanks. Happy retirement, sir."

BBC News Channel

Image source, AFP

Grant Harrold, a former butler in the royal household, tells the BBC he's "not hugely surprised" by today's announcement, given that the duke has been carrying out official duties with the Queen since 1947.

"It's fantastic he's wanted to do his duties up until this point," he says. 

The royal diary can be planned six months to a year in advance and he will have started to turn down invitations already, Mr Harrold observes. 

The former butler also praises the Prince's "dry wit", saying "people will miss seeing that on a daily basis". 

BBC News Channel

BBC royal editor Nicholas Witchell says he understands the Duke of Edinburgh has been "thinking actively about this since the turn of the year".

The decision was delayed until after the Queen's 90th birthday year as "he wanted to be at her side" for that occasion. 

Nicholas Witchell stresses there are "no health considerations" behind the move apart from the normal health precautions for a 95-year-old. 

BBC iWonder

Image source, Indigo/Getty

He is husband to one of the most famous women in the world, but the path of a male consort has not been an easy one. His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has walked in the shadow of Queen Elizabeth II for much of his adult life.

Seeking acceptance in his personal and public life, this European prince with a fragmented childhood found enduring stability in his new family, and carved leading roles of his own in British society.

Read more.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Prince Philip following his decision to retire from public service.

“He has dedicated his life to supporting the Queen and our country with a clear sense of public duty.

“His Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has inspired young people for more than 60 years in over 140 nations.

“We thank Prince Philip for his service to the country and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”

Downing Street has issued this statement on behalf of Prime Minister Theresa May: 

"On behalf of the whole country, I want to offer our deepest gratitude and good wishes to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh following today's announcement that he will stand down from public duties in the Autumn. 

"From his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen to his inspirational Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his patronage of hundreds of charities and good causes, his contribution to our United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world will be of huge benefit to us all for years to come."

Victoria Derbyshire

BBC royal editor Nicholas Witchell says he's "surprised" the announcement was made during the election period as the Royal Family usually try to "disappear as much as possible" at this time.

He says he expects Theresa May was informed about the move when she went to see the Queen at the dissolution of Parliament yesterday.